English Language Services
Michael Paul Galvin Tower, 4th Floor
10 West 35th Street
312.567.5220
els@illinoistech.edu
english.iit.edu
The mission of English Language Services (ELS) at Illinois Tech is to provide engaging English language programs and services in a dynamic learning environment relevant to the academic and professional needs of multilingual learners, as well as promote intercultural awareness in the university community.
English Language Services offers several courses and programs for students to develop their language abilities. To view more information about the English Language Services department and the programs, courses, and services offered, please visit english.iit.edu. English Language Services is accredited by CEA (the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation), a specialized English-language accreditation, and through the university's Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation, and is licensed to operate under the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
To view information about specific programs and courses, please visit the Language Courses section of this catalog or our website at english.iit.edu. Programs and courses include:
- Communicating for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS)
- English for Design
English Language Services also offers special programs/courses for visiting groups who are interested in customized programs specific to the needs of their group. Contact us at els@illinoistech.edu to find out more.
English Communication Courses
English communication courses may be required as a condition of admission. English Language Services offers the following programs:
Communication for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS)
English Language Services offers Communication for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS) courses for Illinois Tech’s multilingual students. These courses are designed for students who have been admitted to Illinois Tech, but need additional language and cross-cultural support to be successful in their degree programs. The courses focus on building students’ communication and critical thinking skills in unique interdisciplinary classroom environments.
CAPS courses meet the needs of international students to provide academic support for major and program courses, and the language skills and strategies needed to integrate into the global workforce after graduating. Courses in academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking provide a linguistic bridge and help international students acculturate to academic and social life in Chicago. Qualified and experienced instructors deliver carefully designed lessons to help students learn, think, and express themselves in the English language.
Different requirements will apply based on a student’s individual needs and admission requirements, and requirements related to the student’s specific programs. Please note: When CAPS courses are required as part of admission to the university, they are required starting in the first semester of studying on campus.
CAPS courses for graduate students are three-credit hour equivalent courses offered as non-credit courses. For more information about each course and its description, please see below.
Course List
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CAPS 051 | Writing in the University for Multilingual Speakers of English | 3 |
| CAPS 052 | Chicago Voices | 3 |
| CAPS 053 | Global Issues through Literature | 3 |
| CAPS 054 | Telling Your Story: Advanced Language Skills for Academics and Work | 3 |
| CAPS 059 | Advanced Communication for Multilingual Speakers | 3 |
For more information about English competency requirements, please visit the Graduate Admission section of the university catalog or visit English Language Services' Programs and Courses page at https://www.iit.edu/els/programs-and-courses.
English for Design
Illinois Tech's Institute of Design partners with English Language Services to offer a unique program of study that combines English for Specific Purpose instruction with graduate-level design education. The program is taught concurrently with coursework in the Master of Design. Its goal is to help students from outside of the United States improve their English fluency inside, and outside, of the classroom. In English + Design, students broaden their design vocabulary and increase their understanding of design in the U.S.
Course List
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IDN 461 | Advanced Reading and Writing for Design I | 3 |
| IDN 462 | Advanced Listening and Presentation in Design I | 3 |
| IDN 466 | Advanced Reading and Writing in Design II | 3 |
| IDN 467 | Advanced Listening and Presentation in Design II | 3 |
Learn more about the English competency requirements on the Institute of Design's website: https://id.iit.edu/graduate-school/courses/#english-design. For overall Institute of Design information, visit here.
